Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 2, 1975)
the bat WEDNESDAY, / George B. Parr Political machine SAN DIEGO (AP) — George B. Parr, the patriarch of Mexican- Americans in his county of Duval and some surrounding areas for more than 60 years, died with the foundation of his political power crumbling beneath him. Parr, 74, had weathered assaults by federal and state authorities and had seen a 1934 conviction for in come tax evasion wiped out by a presidential pardon by Harry Tru man. The Supreme Court over turned a 1956 mail fraud conviction. But a recent decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold his 1974 conviction on charges of income tax evasion charges — issued coincidentally with the ouster of nephew Archei Parr as Duval County judge — meant to some that the iron grip the Parrs held on South Texas politics was finally, relentlessly, being pried loose. Parr grew up in the wild mesquite and cactus country of South Texas. Chunky and red-faced, he looked more like a storekeeper than an ironhanded political boss, heir to the title “Duke of Duval,” passed to him by his father, former State Sen. Archie Parr. “I’m not a boss,” Parr would laugh. “The people come to me for advice because I am their friend. No one is boss in Duval County.” But Parr was the boss of Duval County. The political legend of the Parrs began in 1912 after a courthouse massacre of three Mexican- Americans by a group of Anglos who wanted to seize control of Duval County. Archie Parr, then state senator, took the side of the Mexican-Americans. He became their adviser, their patron. And the father passed this patronage on to his son. Even now, the majority of the 13,000 persons who live in Duval County are Mexican-Americans. “My father was their first friend. I am their second. They ask me for advice on how to vote. I give it freely,” George Parr said. “But I don’t order them to vote, or tell them how to vote.” Parr, an oil and cattle-rich mil lionaire, owned or was a partner in almost every business in this town of 4,500. Before the state banking commissioner made him sell out, Parr had owned the bank and another one in the Jim Wells coun ty seat of Alice, 10 miles away. That was before he went through the federal bankruptcy wringer. And even then, Parr continued to live in a palatial Spanish style home with his wife and their eight-year- old daughter. A few miles from town was Parr’s 55,000-acre Dobie ranch, which figured in some of the many suits brought against him. At one time, there were five court actions pending against him. — A federal charge that he had evaded $85,000 in income taxes. — A charge he had conspired to commit theft of Duval County funds. — A charge he used $500,000 in county funds to buy his ranch. — A charge he had borrowed the money from the county to buy the ranch and then did not pay it back. — A suit that he used $172,500 in Duval County funds to pay off in come taxes. But it was an election in 1948 that catapulted the Parrs into national limelight. That was when delayed votes from Box 13 in Jim Wells County deep in “Parr Country” swung a U.S. senatorial election to Lyndon B. Johnson over Coke Stevenson by 87 votes. Parr hit the headlines again in 1950, when Texas Rangers were sent to keep order in the Democra tic primary elections in 1950, when opposition from the Freedom Party was the first challenge Parr’s Old Party had seen in 39 years. He bounced back in the spotlight — to stay — in 1952 when the son of an arch political foe was shot down in what was later termed “murder by mistake.” Politics in Duval in the 1950s was at its most flamboyant. Excitement often turned to violence: fistfights at the polls, pistol packing ballot box “observers,” curses shouted bet ween rival groups. The Rangers returned to Duval in 1952, when the son of Parr’s politi cal foe, Jacob S. Floyd Sr., was cut down by bushwhacker’s bullets in the driveway of the Floyd home in Alice. In two sensational trials, two men were tried and the charge against each was the same: that Jacob Floyd Sr. was to be the intended victim of hired killers. But the state said his son was killed by mistake. Mario Sapet, a deputy sheriff when he Was arrested, was sen tenced to 99 years in prison. A jury found he had supplied arms to Al fredo Cervantes, a Mexican national named as the triggerman in the Floyd shooting. Cervantes, who fled to Mexico, was never ap prehended. Nago Alaniz, a Duval attorney, also was charged in the Floyd case. The state claimed he was a decoy to Parr death ruled suicide BENAVIDES (AP) — Hours be fore the bright South Texas sun burned thick fog from the rolling hills of Duval County, it was clear something had happened to the “Duke of Duval.” Three hours before the body of George B. Parr was found in the ranch country he loved, people were talking about him as if he was dead. “There’s a new Duke of Duval’ this morning. Archer Parr. I just knew it when I woke up,” said a longtime resident who was waiting in the sheriffs office at San Diego. Archer Parr, who days ago was re lieved as county judge, is George Parr’s nephew. George Parr, 74, had failed to ap pear in federal court in Corpus Christi on Monday. When Parr failed to appear, Nago Alaniz, Parr’s lawyer, neighbor and close as sociate, said, “I believe he is dead. ” “That man would never run. He’s too proud, ” said Leo Casas, a friend of Parr. Because Parr had reportedly been seen in the Benavides area Monday, officers gathered early Tuesday near the gate of a ranch operated by Parr and a sister-in-law of Parr, Hilda Parr. Those near the ranch entrance in cluded Duval County Sheriff Raul Serna, several deputies, Texas Ranger Gene Powell, four FBI ag ents and two newsmen. Shortly after 11 a.m., a Texas De partment of Public Safety helicopter arrived. It swooped down, its rotors kicking up the South Texas sand next to Texas 339 about four miles south of Benavides. At 11:15 a.m., the helicopter as cended and disappeared over the hills leading to the 15,000-acre ranch. Five minutes later, the search was over. The Texas Ranger’s radio on the ground crackled: “We have located George Parr’s automobile,” a voice said. The voice gave some directions and a convoy of law officers, trailed by the two newsmen, raced nine miles across a dusty ranch road through landscape dotted with mesquite trees and cac tus. As the convoy neared the desig nated spot, a lonely windmill and water tank appeared in the back ground. Again the radio crackled. The words needed no explanation. “We ll need a justice of the peace and an ambulance,” the voice said, indicating that the fears of Parr’s fol lowers were realized — the “Duke” was dead. Parked between the water tower and a clump of trees was Parr’s stately dark blue Chrysler. A front window was open and the motor was running. A metal gate near the windmill creaked. The windmill, spurred by a gust of wind, made a whirring noise. Apart from that, there was silence, as the officers bent over to look into the automobile. Inside, the man who politically controlled a large portion of South Texas for decades was dead. A bullet from a .45-caliber pistol had pierced his skull, an officer said. Later, the officers gently pulled Parr’s short, solid body from the car after first wrapping it in a blue bedspread. The officers retrieved from the car a .45-caliber automatic pistol and a military-type semi-automatic rifle. A funeral home hearse dis patched from San Diego had trek ked the dusty countryside and was ready to take Parr’s body. The hearse drove away, leaving the silent officers. Peace Justice Luis Elizondo of Benavides ruled that Parr died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the right temple. He said it came ap parently from a .45 caliber pistol. Judge Parr, bitter and redeyed as he finished making arrangements for his uncle’s funeral, told news men: T have a statement: I hope the goddamned sons of bitches are satisfied. ” Asked to whom he referred, he said calmly: “Just put it ‘they’.” New and Better Than Ever. You Will Be Pleased With These Carefully Prepared and Taste Tempting Foods. Each Daily Special Only $1.29 Plus Tax. “Open Daily” Cafeteria: 11 AM to 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM to 7 PM Snack Bar: 7 AM to 10 PM MONDAY EVENING SPECIAL TUESDAY EVENING SPECIAL WEDNESDAY EVENING SPECIAL Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy Whipped Potatoes Your Choice of One Vegetable Roll or Corn Bread and Butter Coffee or Tea BREADED FISH FILET w/TARTAR SAUCE Cole Slaw Hush Puppies Choice of one vegetable Roll or Corn Bread & Butter Tea or Coffee Chicken Fried Beef Steak w/cream Gravy Whipped Potatoes and Choice of one other Vegetable Roll or Corn Bread and Butter Coffee or Tea THURSDAY EVENING SPECIAL Italian Candle Light Spaghetti Dinner SERVED WITH SPICED MEAT BALLS AND SAUCE Parmesan Cheese - Tossed Green Salad Choice of Salad Dressing - Hot Garlic Bread Tea or Coffee ffton BankAmericard m//him /n W Our meat and fish are processed in Government inspected plants. FRIDAY EVENING SATURDAY SUNDAY SPECIAL SPECIAL EVENING NOON and EVENING Mexican Fiesta SPECIAL Dinner “Yankee Pot Roast ROAST TURKEY DINNER Two Cheese and Texas Style’’ Served with Onion Enchiladas Tossed Salad Cranberry Sauce w/chili Choice of one Cornbread Dressing Mexican Rice vegetable Roll or Corn Bread & Butter Roll or Corn Bread - Butter - Coffee Patio Style Pinto Beans Tostadas or Tea Giblet Gravy Coffee or Tea And your choice of any One Com Bread One vegetable Page 4 THE BAIT All WEDNESDAY, APRU collapses after 63 years get Floyd out of the house for the gunman. He was found innocent by a jury which decided he actually tried to warn the elder Floyd that hired killers were out to get him. Parr’s political strength came into play when C. Woodrow Laughlin, 79th District judge, was removed WANT AD RATES One day 10c per word by the Texas Supreme Court after a group of attorneys claimed he was partial to Parr in his decisions. Laughlin was later reelected to the unexpired portion of his term, and many of the lawyers who sought his removal asked that disbarment pro ceedings against Laughlin be stop ped. And now, oldtime allies are jock eying to seize control of Duval from the Parrs. The political leader of the Carrillo family, former Rep. Oscar Carrillo, who used to boast of his political allegiance to Parr, has deck openly he will take over the rein: Duval politics. It was a member of the C: family. State District Court] O. P. Carrillo, who orden George’s nephew, Archer Pan, step down from his post. Minimum charge- Classified Dis -$1.00 isplay $1.50 per column inch each insertion DEADLINE 3 p.m. day before publication BATTALION CLASSIFIEl : A ' - ^::S^^^3SSS®S3SSSSS8S888S?«SSSSS:::y ; FOR RENT FOR SALE WORK WANTED Will do typiim. Call 823-4579 after 5 p m nit TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF ADMISSIONS AND RECORDS To be eligible to purchase the Texas A&M ring, an undergraduate student must have at least one year in residence and credit for at least ninety-two (92) semester hours. A year in residence may consist of the fall and spring semesters or one of the above and a full summer session (both the first and second terms). The hours passed at the preliminary grade report period on March 12, 1975 may be used in satisfying this ninety-two hour requirement. Students qualifying under this regulation should leave their names with the ring clerk, room seven, Richard Coke Building. This should be done prior to March 12th in order for all records to be checked to determine ring eligibility. Students already having ninety-two (92) completed hours on record may order at any time since regular orders are sent in at the end of each month. Graduate students are eligible to order with proof (receipt) that they have filed for graduation. Orders for mid semester will be taken by the ring clerk starting March 24, 1975 and will continue until Mav 1, 1975 at 4 p. in. All rings must be paid for in full when the order is placed. Students will save time if they will bring grade reports along when ready to order. Students who fail to leave their names in advance will be asked to return later to allow time for records to be checked. The rings are due to arrive at the registrar s on June 17, 1975. All rings ordered, regardless of whether on March 24, 1975 or May 1, 1975, will arrive at the same time. The ring clerk is on duty from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. of each week, Monday through Friday. However, in order for records to be checked, orders must he placed prior to 4 p.m. during this ordering period. We hope this information will he helpful and extend our congratulations. EDWIN H. COOPER, DEAN ADMISSIONS AND RECORDS CAROLYN WATSON, RING CLERK TRAVIS HOUSE APTS. * Spacious 1 & 2 bedroom * Furnished or unfurnished * All utilittes paid * Swimming pools * 2 laundries * Play yard * Shuttle bus service * From $155 505 Hwy. 30 846-61 il 40tfn RUMMAGE SALE St. Thomas Chapel 906 Jersey, C. S. April 3, 4, and 5 Thursday 9-5; Friday 9-5; Saturday 9-12 Saturday Typing Experienced, fast, accurate, Allb |^22-0544 Full time typing. Symbols. Call 823-7783. f Bring your bikes to White's Auto Store, College Station, your oldest and most dependable store, for parts, repair or trade and prices you like. JOB OPPORTUNITIES BROADMOOR APARTMENTS 2 Bedroom, 1 bath, central air & heat, panelled, carpeted & & draped, close to school, University Shopping Center, & Medical Center, $155. unfur nished. $175 furnished. All bills paid including cable, or $130 unfurnished, $150 furnished including water and cable. 1503 Broadmoor 846-1297 or 846-2737 RN needed full time on 11 to 7 shift. Shift .dif ferential plus mileage. Call or come to Grimes Memo rial Hospital 210 S. Judson St. Navasota, Texas 77868 or 825-6585. Ask for Mrs. Winkelmann Director of Nurses or Mr. Fraley Ad ministrator. 308tfn For employment Information at To A&M University dial 845-4444 24hoinj day. Equal Employment OpporMj through Affirmative Action. Texas A&M University AVON Has Openings In this area. Customers waiting to be served. Call 846-8224 “Sail of Sails” at 608 South Bryan! 1,000 and 1 Iron Collectibles, Antiques, Glassware, Lamps, Stoves, Oak Antique Furniture, Iron Beds, Glass Top Fruit Jars, Old Bottles, Horse Drawn Plows, Plow Sweeps, Garden Plows, Iron Wheels, Wagon and Buggy Parts, Old Tools, Books, Rocks, Geodes, Crystals, Fossils. I BUY, SELL AND TRADE. We have “GOOD BUYS,” “BARGAINS” “Some items You Buy at YOUR PRICE!” 96t4 2 bedroom unfurnished apartment at Northgate. $95 per month, no bills paid. STUDENTS ONLY. Call 846-0384. 95t4 Rentals near campus. Apartments and houses. 846-8209. 85tfn Presently interviewing applicants for foil time in-| patient counselor positions Experience especially valuable to psychology stu dents. Minimum 2 yr. employment preferred. Con tact Director of In-Patient Services, Central Brazos Valley Mental Health Center. Phone 822-7326 84H6 Attention: Alpha Delta Pi’s Reorganization of alumni. If you are new to the area and have not been contacted lately please call Patsy Akin, 822-0995. Finfeather Acres, mobile homes for rent, 822-2627.81tfn Apartment for rent for 2 $45 apiece, 846-5132. lOtfo ATTENTION MARRIED COUPLES. One and2 bed room furnished apartments. Ready for occupancy. 1V4 miles south of campus. Lake for fishing. Washateria on grounds. Country atmosphere. Call D. R. Cain Co., 823-0934 or after 5, 846-3059 or 822-6135. 166tfii * : 1 ' FOR SALE OR RENT Mansard House. Part time bartender needed. Apply in person. 693-2200. 96tfn - NEEDED IMMEDIATELY: Person to iWM •hdrin house. Study, I* baths, area, kitchen with dishwasher, comploWI nished with w/d, ca/ch, fenced backyard. Multi nnimnls, be fairly liberal. Call 846-9563 1 PENT HOUSE I. Male help wanted. Apply in person 846-9384. 92tf n One or two people to work 10 a.m. to 3 p.m Mon -Fri. Also one or two to work weekends and two or three nights a week. Sales or cashier experience helpful. Apply in person only, Whataburger, Bryan or College Station. 6 7,f n Service For All Chrysler Corp. Cars Body Work — Painting Free Estimates HALSELL MOTOR COMPANY, INC. Dodge Sales and Service Since 1922 1411 Texas Ave. — 823-8111 67tfn BELAIR Mobile Home Park 5 minutes from campus Swimming pool, TV cable, all city utilities, large lots, from $29.50 822-2326 or 822-2421 Get the Best for Less 394tfn MANSARD HOUSE. Part time cocktail waitress needed. Apply in person. 693-2200. 92tfn The Houston Chronicle needs one route carrier im mediately and several for the fall semester. $200 to $400 per month. 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Mornings on weekends. Call Julian McMurray, 693-2323 or 846-0763. 92t8 Weekend help wanted. Receptionist. Alert, pleasant personality. Light typing. Also waitress. Hours 9-6. Call for appointment 845-6411, ext. 26 between 8-5. 96t4 LOST wwMswmwsf&ssft Smokey topaz ring in G. Rollie While Coliseua-jjpj WARD 845-3607. One opal, one turquoise rings Friday , aroll "^J] , ™ ton Center. GENEROUS REWARD 823-«»S! Gold watch, 2 diamonds. Saturday. Mall. 822-7207. FOR RENT LUXURY APARTMENTS FOR LEASE. Furnished 2 bedroom, carpeted, townhouse type with complete built-in RCA whirlpool all gas kitchen including dis hwasher, disposal and 14 ft. no frost refrigerator. Indi vidual central air and heat. Located on a heavily wooded lot within walking distance to university. $175 per month plus utilities, no pets, 846-8051 after 5 or all day weekends. 9714 FOR SALE SURPLUS ELECTRONICS prime components, new and used equipment, tools, and kits. Call Richard Par rish, 693-3894 or come by Z-l-H Hensel Apts, from 5-9 p.m. weeknights or all day Saturday. 97t8 Peledyne AM-FM receiver with cassette deck plus 2 Peledyne cabinets with 7 speakers in each. Sacrifice. 693-3669. 97t7 Portable sewing machine, $40; 4 year old mare, $110 845-7129. 96t3 LHAFA-APSO Puppies. House of Poodles. 3011 South College. 822-6250. 88t3 For Battalion Classified Call FOUND Black tom eat with green eyes, clear plastic collar 845-2985 after 7 p in. 845-2226 Broome’s SUNSHINE LAUNOftV 3815 E. 29th ST. — BRYAN, TEXAS 77801 PHONE 846-7921 Open 7 Days Weekly 7-1 0 Mon.-Fri./8-8 Sal -Sun. SELF-SERVICE LAUNDRY COIN-OP DRY CLEANING PROFESSIONAL CLEANING & LAUNDRY WASH-DRY-F0L0 SERVICE FINANCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS, INC. CASUALTY AGENCY AUTO-HOME-MOBILE HOME-BUSINESS-BOAT 303 College Main 846-8791 College Station AUTO INSURANCE FOR AGGIES: Call: George Webb Farmers Insurance Group 3400 S. College 823-8051 SOSOLIKS TV & RADIO SERVICE INC. Zenith Sales and Services TV Rental 713 S. MAIN BRYAN 822-2133 Sl£SB&S£Si&3&&SS33K&- WANTED Industrial Engineer. For information, write Dire* Industrial Operations, Fort Carson, Colo. 809 . SOUTHGATE VILLAGE APARTMENTS Family size apartments with lots A closet space. Individually control refrigerated air. Cable TV connection* Complete laundry facilities. ALL UTILITIES PAID One. two, three & four bedroom apart merits from $104.00. Some availabli now. Married students welcome. 134 Luther (off old hwy. 6 so., C. S.) Rental Office 846-3702 Dfeighiborlg advice. Come visit us at Briarwood. We love it here and we think you will too. Briarwood has been carefully designed to insure you the very best in apartment living. Only five minutes from Texas A&M, Briarwood offers you tennis courts, sauna baths & exercise rooms, your own Club (Penthouse I), Cable TV, sun decks, I " ‘■^^wall-to-wall carpeting, modern kitchens, ^^V24-hour security, all utilities paid, / ☆ s ant * there’s more. Come see! Arur-* j X can 693-2933 \ ‘Wltercywr friend* * are yo«r Mt^Kbers. A /‘Bnarwootf 1201 Highway 30 College Station TRINITY GARDEN DUPLEXES Like Home Living 2 bedroom - V/ 2 baths - carpet - drapes central heat and air - electric kitchen - range, refrigerator - dishwasher- disposal - washer dryer attachments in garage, fenced *back yard — pet accepted. 1712 Trinity Place 846-3988 College Station, Texas the pux chene "THE ULTIMATE IN APARTMENT CHATEUX” • 1-2-3 BEDROOMS FURNISHED & • UNFURNISHED • A&M SHUTTLE SERVICE • 24 HOUR SECURITY • MEN & WOMEN EXERCISE ROOMS •RECREATION CENTER (ATHLETIC EQUIP. AVAILABLE FREE) • SAUNA BATHS MANSARD HOUSE (Club) FREE TENNIS LESSONS Office Open Between 9-6 - Sun 2-5 1401 FM 2818 (West Loop) College Station Behind The New IC-Mart PHONE 846-3741 FOfi THE YOUNG HI HEART Tlantation OaHs 150i Hwy. 30, College Station 1-2-3 Bedroom $149 & Up "Our Place" (The Game Room) f FREE TENNIS LESSONS OFFICE OPENS 9-7 Sunday 2-6 By Appointment After Hours ^ i «3?nHlh il In s